Mickey Hart and John Mayer have finally commented on the death of their bandmate Bob Weir.
Both posted statements late Sunday night on Instagram.
Hart wrote, “Bob Weir was a little brother to me for almost sixty years. He was my first friend in the Grateful Dead. We lived together, played together, and made music together that ended up changing the world.
“Bob had the ability to play unique chords that few others could. Long fingers, that’s the difference. Jerry once told me that the harmonics Bob created became an inspiration for his own solos. When all of us were entrained, rhythm section, guitars, and voices… it was transcendent.
“What was a lifetime of adventure boils down to something simple- we were family and true to the music through it all. These photos show the bookends of our lives together. Still cannot believe he’s gone. I miss you so much already, dear friend.”
Mayer’s post was somewhat shorter. “Okay Bob. I’ll do it your way. Thanks for letting me ride alongside you. It sure was a pleasure. If you say it’s not the end, then I’ll believe you. I’ll meet you in the music. Come find me anytime. JohnBo.”
The Dead’s other remaining core member, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, has yet to post about Weir’s passing.
81-year-old Keyboardist Tom Constanten, who was in the band from November 23rd, 1968 to January 30th, 1970, is the only other official member still alive, although he has lung cancer and is need of financial assistance. Last August the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund launched the Tom “TC” Constanten Fund.
On Monday afternoon Oteil Burbridge, who played bass in Dead & Company after being n the Allman Brothers Band from 1997 to 2014, posted on his social media, “Thank you Bob for pulling me into your orbit. There are no words that could ever encompass the last ten years we shared together. I’m so blessed to have been a part of it all. And thank you for being so generous with your time and sharing yourself with so many of us younger musicians. It does my heart good to see so many pictures of you with so many musicians that weren’t in the Grateful Dead. Thank you for including us. There is no higher form of musical grace.”
Weir died Saturday at the age of 78.
